I am grateful to the farmers in Arkansas and around the country who allow us to place a safe and affordable dinner on the table each night. Many of us do so without thinking about the farm policy that enables farmers to stay in business during droughts or other difficult times. It also prevents us from becoming dependent on other countries for food like we are with our oil supply.

The Senate recently reauthorized many of the basic tenets of our farm policy. Because agriculture and rural development are so intertwined, the policies spelled out in the Farm Bill have a significant impact on our state. The safety net for commodity programs remains despite heavy objections from the President. There are also many new reforms in this bill, and although some will pose challenges for our farmers they will still be getting needed assistance to plan and invest in their crops. I'm pleased the legislation also makes a strong commitment to invest in renewable, farm-based energy; emphasize conservation; boost nutrition programs, and advance rural development programs.

There are several programs in this legislation that will benefit families and the economies of rural America, including my initiative to help Arkansas meet our nation's energy challenges. We have tremendous energy potential in cellulosic ethanol - where farmers could turn switch grass, cornstarch, miscanthus and woodchips into the next generation of biofuel. But we need companies willing to invest, build the proper infrastructure and commercialize the fuel. My measure requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to identify and assess the growth potential for cellulosic feedstock on a national level. I believe this study will identify Arkansas as a potential goldmine for cellulosic fuel and help drive investors to our state for the next stage.

In addition, my provision to improve quality control standards for collaborative university research remains in the final legislation. Some of the most beneficial research in agriculture has come as a direct result of partnerships between universities and the private sector. However, the integrity of this research was compromised in 2006 when an unauthorized and unapproved release of a strain of rice entered the U.S. rice crop and disrupted rice exports to Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It reduced the value of the long grain rice crop by almost $200 million.

The USDA spent a year investigating the cause and then offered recommendations to prevent related problems in the future. My provision requires the USDA to turn those recommendations into regulations, including policies to enhance the quality of records, retain representative samples, maintain identity and control in the event of an unauthorized release, develop corrective actions and protocols for conducting molecular forensics, provide clarity in contractual agreements, develop standards for quality management systems and use electronic permits to store documents. These recommendations will prevent similar disturbances in the global marketplace from recurring and should be implemented.

President Bush was wrong to veto this legislation, and I'm pleased the Senate promptly voted to override his veto and turn this bill into law. We must have a smart farm policy that provides certainty for our farmers and ensures they can stay in business. That way, Americans can continue to benefit from the most stable, safe and affordable food supply in the world.